Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 737,523. PATENTED AUG. 25, 1903. J. SUMMERFIELD.

AOETYLBNE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, 1900. yo MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 737,523. PATENTED AUG. 25, 1903.

J. SUMMERFIELD. v AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION YILED MAY 19, 1900. N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented. August 25, 1903".

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN SUMMERFIELD, OF DALLAS, TEXAS;

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SIPEOIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 737,528, dated August 25, 1903.

Application filed May 19, 1900. Serial No. 17,289. (No model.)

To all whrmt it ntaty concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN SUMMERFIELD, of Dallas, Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to gasgenerators, and more particularly to means for controlling the liquid which is for decomposing the carbid in acetylene-gas generators, whereby the generation of gas is regulated and the waste of gas is prevented.

The object is to construct an automatic cutoff for the liquid-supply, which cut-off will be operated in a perfectly satisfactory manner to prevent the generation of too much gas at one time and by which a supply of gas is maintained until the carbid is exhausted.

Reference is had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the liquidfeeding mechanism, the water-tank, the generating-chambers with a broken part in one of the chambers, a vertical section of the storage-tank and the sealing-tank, and the drier with a broken place therein. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the automatic cut-off mechanism, showing also the manner of securing the caps 011 the generating-chambers, the bodies of the generating-chambers being broken away for want of space. Fig. 3 is a section of one of the heads of a generating-chamber along the line so 00 of Fig. 2, illustrating the manner of sealing the generating chambers, and this view also illustrating the means for distributin g the water or liquid supply on the carbid. Fig. 4C is-a plan view of the sprinkler, the pipe being shown in a horizontal section. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the sprinkler, showing the side elevation of one trough, a vertical section of one trough, and one trough on the back side of the figure and showing the manner of arranging the partitions and wires. Fig. [3 is a front elevation of the generatingchambers and the water-feed mechanism, a side elevation being shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the locking-bar and the tripping mechanism.

Similar characters of reference are used to indicate the same parts throughout the several views.

The gasometer or storage-tank 1 is mounted in the sealing-tank 2 and over the open-top cylinder 3, in which the gas is received and discharged. The open-top cylinder 3 is attached to or in the bottom 4 of the tank 2, and the bottom 4 rests on a support 5, which is soldered thereto. Any suitable amount of weight 6 may be mounted on the storage-tank 1. Water or oil or other suitable liquid is placed in the sealing-tank 2, and when enough gas has been generated to raise the tank 1, tank 1 floats in the liquid, which forms a seal to prevent the escape of gas. As gas accumulates the tank 1 rises, and as the gas is consumed the tank 1 descends. The tank is guided in the upward and downward motion by the guide-rods 7. These rods pass through the bar 8, which is attached to the tank 1. The rods 7 are held in place by the brackets 9. These brackets have lugs 10 on the upper part, through which the rods 7 pass. The brackets 9 have lock-nuts 11 on the bottom parts thereof, in which the rods 7 are screwed. The rods 7 have nuts or beads 12 on the upper ends to prevent the tank 1 from going too high. There may be two or more generating chambers 13 and 18. The generators are supplied by a main Water-pipe 23, controlled by a valve 26, and the water is carried from the main pipe 23 by two branch pipes 29 and 23 to chambers 13 and 18, re speetively, the water being carried from pipe 23 to pipe 29 by the T-pipe 28 and the pipe 23 being a continuation of pipe 23. The branch pipes are each provided with a valve. These valves are adapted by the mechanism hereinafter described to change the flow of water from one branch pipe to the other. The generating-chamber 13 is provided with a water-pipe 29 and a gas-pipe 15. The water-pipe delivers the water to be sprinkled on the carbid, which is placed in the generating-chamber. The gas-pipe 15 forms a passage for the gas from the chamber 13 to the storage-tank 1. This pipe is provided with a cut-off valve or cock 16 and a check-valve 17, which is a pipe-section which runs around valve 16 and which will allow gas to pass from the generating chamber, but not from the storage-tank to the genei'atingcliainber. The generating-chamberlS is to be provided with similar pipes and valves.

is to be provided with a pipe similar to pipe ICO Chamber 18 l adjusted as to height.

for conveying gas to the storage -tank 1, and this pipe is to be provided with a checkvalve corresponding to check-valve 17 and a cut-off valve corresponding to valve 16. This chamber is to be provided with a sprinkler similar to the sprinkler shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. Pipe 15 is provided with a union This pipe enters the storage-tank 1 and is extended upward, so that there will never be enough water in said tank to obstruct the flow of gas. This tank is provided with a drain-pipe 20, which pipe is provided with a stop-cock 21, by which any water or other liquid which may accumulate in cylinder 3 can be drawn out.

A tank 22, for water or other liquid which is to be used for decomposing the carbid, may be mounted at any suitable place and be provided with suitable pipes for delivering the water to the generating chamber or chambers. I have provided a pipe 23, which is provided with astop-cock 24, a union 25, a

valve 26 for regulating the flow of water, cutting off and turning on the water, as hereinafter explained, and a valve 27 for switching the water to another generating-chamber, the pipe 23 delivering water to the chamber Means are provided for changing the flow of water from one generating-chamber to another, so that when the carbid is exhausted in the first chamber the flow of water can be started to the second chamber, or vice A T-pipe 28 connects with pipe 23, and with the pipe 29, which is to deliver water to chamber 13. The pipe 29 is provided with a valve 30. The triggers 31 and 32 are attached to the valve-stems of valves 27 and and so arranged that when one of said valves is being opened the other is being closed and when one is opened the other is closed. The two triggers are caused to turn together by means of a tongue 33, which is integral with one of the triggers (in the drawings integral with the trigger 31) and extending between the arms of the other trigger. The valve 26 is operated by means of the spur or segment 34. The valves 20, 27, and 30 are operated automatically by the rising and descending of the storage-tank 1. The tripping-bar 35 is adjustably attached to the bar 8, which is attached to the top of the storage-tank. 3y means of the nuts 36 the tripping-bar can be The tripping-bar is bent at right angle at 37 and a locking-bar 38 is bolted to the tripping-bar by means of a bolt 39. The locking-bar is not as wide as the tripping-bar or, if made as wide, it is so attached to said bar as to leave a tripper 40.

Fig. 1 shows the locking-bar 38 and the tripping-bar 35 at their lowest positions. The tripping-bar 35 has two trippersone,40, for operating the spur 34 and one, 70, for operating the triggers 31 and 32, the tripper being integral with the tripping-bar 35. The

spur 34 is providedwith two pins 80, which rest against the locking-bar 38 when that bar The goes up, being carried by the tank 1.

pins 80 and the bar 38 hold the valve 26 locked closed as long as the tank 1 is up high enough to keep the locking-bar 38 against the pins 80. WVhen tank 1 goes up, the tripper 40 engages the spur 34 in the notch 41 and closes the valve, and when the tank 1 goes down the tripper 40 again engages the spur 34 in the notch 41 and opens the valve 26, and the spur 34 rests against the tripping-bar 35. When the valve 26 is open, water will flow into one of the chambers 18 and 13. If there is any carbid in the chamber into which the water flows, gas will be generated immediately and the tank 1 will rise again. There are several advantages in having separate triggers for operating valves 27 and 30. For this reason the two triggers are used. The two are made to turn as one by means of a tongue 33, which reaches from one to the other and'rests between the arms of the other. The tripper 40 is adapted to engage the spur 34 in the notch 41 therein. The spur 34 has one face or edge adapted to rest against the tripping-bar as this bar passes down and up. In this way the spur is prevented from turning too far and turning off the water flow after it has been turned on. A spring 42 may be bolted to the bar 35 to prevent the spur 34 from being turned while the tripping-bar is down. 'Water passes through pipes 23 and 29 to the generating-chambers 18 and 13, respectively, and is distributed on the carbid by means of sprinklers. The carbid is placed on racks 43, mounted in the generating-chambers. Each water-pipe projects into the chamber, and a sprinkler is suspended on the end of the pipe. The sprinklerconsists of a pipe 44, a plurality of small wires 45, projecting up within said pipe and branching out or radiating at their lower ends. A hollow frustrated cone 46 is attached to the pipe 44, at the end thereof, and a hollow cone 47 is placed beneath the wires 45, which radiate under the cone 4G. Partitions 48 are placed between the wires to keep water from passing from one wire to another along the edge of the cone 46. Small troughs 49 are placed under each wire to di rect the water after the water leaves the wires. The troughs .49 may be separate pieces of metal soldered to the under side of the cone 47 or they may all be integral with a hollow cone placed under the hollow cone 47 and soldered thereto. Some of the troughs are to be shorter than others, so that water may be partitions extend down between the troughs and are soldered to the troughs. The wires 45 follow the cone 47 up to the point thereof and then project up in the pipe 44, so that the least amount of water that falls from the pipe 44 will be distributed to various parts of the generating chamber. and eight wires are shown.

Only eight troughs I do not intend to limit myself to this number, as it is clearly apparent that any number of troughs and wires may be used.

The mouths of the generating-chambers are closed as follows: A casting 50, having an annular groove therein for packing 51, is attached to the mouth of the chamber and forms the rim. A cap 52 having an annular flange 53 to engage the packing 51 is provided for closing or sealing the chamber. The cap is secured in place by a three-pronged bar 54. Ears 55 are formed integral with the rim 50. Bolts 56, provided with hand-nuts 57, are used to secure the cap in place. \Vith the means thus provided a water-tight and gastight seal can be made. Two prongs of the bars 54 may have notches 58, formed therein for the bolts 56, so that it will not be neces sary to remove all the nuts 57 from the bolts. The bars can then be turned 011 the third bolt when it is necessary to open the chamber. \Vith this provision the nuts will not be lost or thrown out of place, and a convenient way of holding the caps is provided.

Means are provided for removing the ashes or spent carbid from the generating-chamber. The bottom parts of the chambers are reduced and are provided with stop-cocks 59 for opening and closing the same. lVith this arrangement water can be poured in the mouths of the chambers and turned out at the bottom openings. I have provided means for utilizing the water-pressure, where waterpressure can be secured, to clean the generating-chambers. Pipes 60, provided with stopcocks 61, are connected with the-lower parts of the generating-chambers. Hose-pipes may be connected with the pipes 00 and water turned in the bottom parts of the chambers. \Vater will rise in the chambers, and if there remains any carbid not decomposed the water will decompose it and force the gas into the storage-tank 1. \Vhen the water has risen almost to the rack 43, it may be cut off. The valve 16 may then be closed to prevent gas from coming back from the storage-tank and then the cock 59 opened to let out the water and decomposed carbid. This operation may be repeated and sufficient water let in through the pipe 60 to clean the chambers thoroughly.

The gas is passed through a drier before it is to be used. A drying-chamber 62 may be mounted 011 the tank 2. A pipe 63 delivers gas to the drier. A rack 64 is placed in the drying-chamber. This rack may be wrapped with cloth or sponge 65, or other suitable substance may be placed on the rack for drying the gas. The drier is provided with a drippipe 66, which is provided with a suitable cook 67. A pipe 68 is connected with the drying-chamber for supplying gas for consumption. The drying-chamber may be closed with means similar to the means described for closing the generating-chambers.

A spur 70 is bolted to the tripping-bar 35 for operating the triggers 31 and 32. When the apparatus is placed in position for operation, the triggers 31 and 32 are so set that a projection of one of them is in thepath of the spur 7 O, and when the bell 1 descends the spur 70 engages the projection of one of the triggers and turns the valve, and on further descending moves the trigger in such position that the spur '70 will not engage the same on the rise of the bell. are placed at a position so low down that the valves will not be operated by the spur 70 until the carbid is exhausted in one generating-chamber and all the gas is consumed and the storage-tank 1 descends to its lowest position. As this operation is accomplished the spur 7 0 will turn the triggers 31 and 32 and change the flow of water from the exhausted generating-chamber to the chamber which is charged. The segment 34 serves to regulate the flow of water to either generatingchamber, the How of water being cut oif every time the storage-tank rises and turned on again when the storage-tank descends. The segment 34 carries a pin 71, which will prevent this segment from bending the tripping-rod 35. The pin 71 comes against the valve-casin g of valve 26 and prevents the segment from being pressed against therod 35.

It will be seen that the two generating chambers and their appliances are so arranged that when carbid in one chamber is exhausted the flow of water will be switched to the other chamber and that the exhausted chamber can be recharged without disturbing the one in use and that the switching-triggers can be set again to switch the flow of water back to the first chamber. It is also apparent that more than two generators can be operated with the same mechanism.

The machine having been put together, the operation is simple. The tank 22 is supplied with water, the cock 24 being closed. One orboth generating-chambers are charged with carbid and carefully sealed with the means described. The triggers are then set, so that when the carbid is exhausted in one chamber the water will be started to the next chamber; but the triggers must not be set until after the water has been turned on the carbid by means of the cook 24 and there has been enough gas generated to make the storagetank rise until the bar or spur 7 O has passed above the triggers. \Vhen water has once been turned on, it will continue to flow until the tripping-bar rises high enough to close valve 20, which is done by the tripper 40 engaging the segment 34 in the notch 41 and turning the segment as the tripper continues to rise. The valve 26 will then be closed until the gas is consumed and the storage-tankbegins to descend. As the tripper descends it will engage the segment 34 and again open the valve 26. The storage-tank will continue to rise and descend and open and close valve 26 as long as the carbid lasts. When the storage-tank goes down the last time, the spur 7 0 will operate the valves 27 and 30 to switch the water to the next chamber. The triggers The valves 27 and 30- 31 and 32 will then be out of the passage of the spur 70 and the valve 26 will be operated as with the first chamber. Gas passes from the generating-chambers to the storage-tank by means of suitable pipes. Before the gas is used it is passed through a drier. The drier consists of a sealed chamber having suitable drying material placed therein, such as cloth and sponge.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an apparatus for generating gas provided with a generator, a gas-storage tank, and suitable pipes connecting said parts; means for sprinkling water on the carbid in said generator consisting of a water-tank, a pipe leading from said tank into the generator, and a sprinkler attached to said pipe, said sprinkler consisting of a pipe, wires inserted in said pipe and radiating therefrom, and means for holding said wires in said pipe.

2. In an apparatus for generating gas provided with a generator, a gas-storage tank, a water-tan k, and suitable pipes connecting said parts; means for distributing water on the carbid in said chamber consisting of a sprinkler mounted in said generator, said sprinkler consisting of a pipe attached to the waterpipe, a hollow frustrated cone attached to said pipe, wires inserted in said pipe and radiating under the lower edge of said cone, a second frustrated cone placed under said wires for supporting and spreading the same, troughs for said wires placed under said second cone, and partitions inserted in slots cut in said firstnamed cone and extending down between said troughs and soldered thereto whereby water is prevented from passing from one wire to another and whereby said second cone and troughs are supported.

3. In an apparatus for generating gas provided with a generator, a storage-tank, a watertank,and suitable'pipes connecting said parts; means for distributing water on the carbid in said generator consisting of a pipe attached to the water-pipe, wires inserted in said pipe and radiating from the lower end thereof, par; titions between said wires,troughs under said wires, and means for supporting said partitions and troughs on said pipe.

4. In an apparatus for generating gas provided with a storage-tank, suitable generators, and suitable pipes connecting said generators and said tank; means for distributing water in said generators consisting of a tank, a pipe leading from said tank, branch pipes connected to said pipe and to said generators, a valve mounted in each branch pipe, a trigger mounted 011 each valve-stem, and means for automatically operating said triggers, said triggers being placed adjacent to each other and connected together whereby the actuating of one trigger will actuate the other trigger and one valve will be closed and the other valve opened.

5. In an apparatus for generating gas provided with a storage-tank adapted to rise and descend as the gas accumulates and is con sumed,suitable generators, suitable pipes connecting said generators and said tank, and a water-tank; means for automatically controlling the fiow of water from said water-tank to said generators consisting of a pipe leading from said water-tank, branch pipes connected to said pipe and to said generators, a valve mounted in each branch pipe, a trigger at-' tached to each valve-stem, means for causing said triggers to turn simultaneously, and a tripping-bar actuated by said storage-tank and provided witha tripperfor operating said triggers whereby the flow of water is switched from one generator to another, said triggers being mounted in the path of said trippingbar. I

' 6. In an apparatus for generating gas provided Witha storage-tank, adapted to rise and descend as the gas accumulates and is consumed,suitable generators,suitable pipes connecting said generators with said storagetank, and a water-tank; means for autom atic ally controlling the flow of water from said water-tank to said generators consisting of a pipe leading from said water-tank, branch pipes connected to said pipe and to said generators, a valve mounted in each branch pipe, a trigger attached to each valve-stem, a tripping-bar actuated by said storage-tank and provided with a tripper for operating said triggers whereby the flow of water is switched from one generatorto another,said triggers being mounted adjacent to each other and in the path of said tripping-bar, avalve mounted in the pipe leading from said water-tank, and means actuated by said tripping-bar whereby said valve is closed and opened respectively as said storage-tank rises and descends.

In testimony whereof I set my hand, in the presence of two witnesses, this 28th day of April, 1900.

JOHN SUMMERFIELD.

WVitnesses:

J. Y. ROBERTSON, A. L. JAcKsoN. 

